CHILD`S-EYE VIEW OF DAD, THROUGH THE AGES

Ann LandersCHICAGO TRIBUNE

Dear Ann Landers: As Father`s Day approaches, I thought you might like to reprint an item translated from a Dutch magazine. This nostalgic gem appeared in the Danbury (Conn.) News-Times. I have cherished it for many years and hope you will share it with your readers.

Donna W., Washington, D.C.

Dear Donna: Love it! I saw myself in every line and am certain others will, too. Bless you for sending it on in time for his day.

FATHER

4 Years: My daddy can do anything.

7 Years: My dad knows a lot, a whole lot.

8 Years: My father doesn`t know quite everything.

12 Years: Oh, well, naturally Father doesn`t know that, either.

14 Years: Father? Hopelessly old-fashioned.

21 Years: Oh, that man is out-of-date. What did you expect?

25 Years: He knows a little bit about it, but not much.

30 Years: Maybe we ought to find out what Dad thinks.

35 Years: A little patience. Let`s get Dad`s assessment before we do anything.

50 Years: I wonder what Dad would have thought about that. He was pretty smart.

60 Years: My dad knew absolutely everything!

65 Years: I`d give anything if Dad were here so I could talk this over with him. I really miss that man.

Dear Ann Landers: I feel as if I have been hit by a 10-ton truck. Please bear with me while I try to gather my thoughts.

My husband and I have been married four years. We have a 3-year-old and a baby 6 months. ''Mathew'' and I get along very well. We`ve never had any serious fights. He`s a great father and loves the kids.

Last week I found some undeveloped film in his fishing tackle box. I was certain they were pictures he had taken of the kids and dropped them off at the drugstore. Yesterday I picked them up. (My hands are shaking as I write this. I hope you can read it.) The pictures were of Mathew and another man

(very handsome) in fond embrace. There were about a dozen photos.

I knew at once that this was more than a friendship, but it made no sense.

There is not one thing about Mathew that would suggest he is not totally straight. We went together for two years before we married. He is home almost every night, or I am with him. The only time he is away from me is for an occasional night of bowling or a weekend of fishing.

When Mathew came home I waited until the children were in bed, and then I handed him the pictures. He looked at them, paused and said, ''I`m relieved that you know.''

It seems that Mathew and this ''friend'' have had an ongoing relationship for seven years. He married me because he thought it would ''cure'' him. He wants to keep our home together, but he says he cannot give up this man.

I love my husband and want to stay married to him. He is a terrific husband and father, and I think I can handle it. Am I crazy? Please advise.

''Nell'' in N.C.

Dear N.C.: It can work if you are a strong woman. Counseling can help.

For whatever comfort it might be, the vast majority of wives in your spot choose to stay with their husbands. Invariably they tell me they are relieved that the ''significant other'' is a man and not a woman. Surprised? I was, too.